»International Students

To find out if you're considered an International Student, find which statement most accurately describes your situation from the list below:

I have a foreign passport or citizenship.
Yes, all citizens of countries other than the U.S. are considered international students at Chapman.

I attend an international school, but I have a U.S. passport. 
No, you would be considered a U.S. Abroad applicant.

I attend a U.S. high school, but I have a foreign passport. Yes, you would be considered an international student.

I am a U.S. permanent resident and a citizen of another country.
No, your U.S. permanent residency keeps you as a domestic applicant.

I am a dual citizen with the U.S.
No, your U.S. citizenship keeps you as a domestic applicant.

• There are 268 international students coming from 63 countries at Chapman. View more Chapman Facts.
• 2% of Chapman students completed their high school diploma overseas
• Learn more from current students
• Ask for a phone or Skype interview with a current Chapman student

• Please have your transcript translated into English. Line-by-line and word-for-word exact translation is required
• Please submit both the official transcript and the official translation

• Yes, Chapman accepts transfer applications from international students that are already studying at a U.S. university as well as students studying in universities all over the world.
• There are no minimum grades or credit amounts to apply as a transfer.
• If less than 24 credits have been earned, then SAT or ACT scores need to be submitted.
• If less than 60 credits have been earned, please submit secondary school transcripts and exam results as these will be required and reviewed.
• Please see transfer admission site for more details, or download our Transfer Brochure.

• The Common Application form, Chapman Supplement and any supplemental departmental applications. For more information on applying, click here. 
• All Transcripts (Mark sheets, examination results) from all secondary/ high schools and/or universities attended. English translations required if official transcript is not provided in English.
• Letter of Recommendation
• SAT1 or ACT scores
• TOEFL or IELTS scores: International freshman applicants who submit scores of 550 or higher on either the Critical Reasoning or Writing sections of the SAT or a sub score of 24 or higher on either Reading, English or Writing sections of the ACT will automatically have the TOEFL or IELTS requirement waived. These scores can be waived if English is your native language.
  • Please contact us if you have a TOEFL/IELTS waiver question intladmit@chapman.edu
• Financial Certification Form

• Yes, the only way to apply to Chapman is through The Common Application
• Please complete the Common Application as well as the Chapman Supplement to complete your application to Chapman University

• Web Advisor & My Panther Page will allow you to monitor your application status.
• Web Advisor access information is provided by Chapman’s IS&T office through the mail. If you have any troubles with your Username & Password, please contact the Service Desk at: (714) 997-6600 or servicedesk@chapman.edu PLEASE BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR STUDENT ID# number available when contacting the office.

1. Not using the same name on ALL documents for admission. We highly recommend that you use your name as it appears on your passport for your application, SAT, TOEFL, e-mail correspondence, portfolio submissions, audition sign ups and any other documents you may submit. We cannot match your documents to your application file if the name is not consistent. The name you use on your application will used for your I-20 and visa documents, all of which should match your passport.

2. Not answering all questions on the application.

3. Having trouble with the Common Application and calling our office.  Though we do love hearing from you, your best resource is the Support Center through The Common Application. They have access to solve your application troubles on their site! www.commonapp.org

4. Applying on-line with a Mac. some of the writable pdf. documents you upload for your departmental applications or supplements will come through our system blank if you use a Mac. We encourage you to check your application status on-line, and if a PDF is still missing, then submit a printed version through our ImageFax: 1.714.628.3404

5. Not submitting a Financial Certification that is complete with U.S. dollar amounts listed in the columns for Assured and Expected Support. Bank statements are also needed, especially for the visa process, if you are admitted.

6. Procrastinating on audition or video uploads and encountering technical difficulties. Complete this step EARLY so if you encounter difficulties, you still have time before the deadline to fix them. Our Service Desk will be happy to help should you encounter technical difficulties:  1.714.997.6600 or servicedesk@chapman.edu

7. Faxing documents that come through poorly. Please use a ‘fine’ resolution, and fax to 1.714.628.3404, or you may e-mail documents to intladmit@chapman.edu as pdf. or jpeg. attachments.

8. Missing deadlines.

• High School Students: We highly recommend applying Early Action- November 1. The Regular Decision has a January 15 deadline.
• Transfer Students: The deadline for Fall is March 15 (classes begin in late August) and for Spring is October 15 (classes begin in late January).

9. Listing an e-mail address you no longer in use. We do ALL of our communication with you about your application through e-mail. Please update us with a new e-mail address if you change yours!

10. Calling or writing too much or too little about your application, and not providing enough information.It takes 3-4 weeks to process documents that arrive through on-line submission, mail or e-mail, and during our busiest months (December-February) it can take up to 6 weeks! Please be patient as we process what you have sent to us. If you do inquire, please provide your full name, date of birth, and the city and country in which you live.

• We encourage you to track your own documents through DHL, Fed Ex or Priority Mail
• We encourage you to monitor you application status through Web Advisor or MyPanther Page

• International freshman applicants who submit scores of 550 or higher on either the Critical Reasoning or Writing sections of the SAT or a sub score of 24 or higher on Reading, English or Writing sections of the ACT will automatically have the TOEFL or IELTS requirement waived. These scores can be waived if English is your native language.
• International students who have attended all four years of secondary school (high school) where the language of instruction is English will have the TOEFL/IELTS requirement waived.
• International transfer applicants who have achieved a "C" or better in an English or Writing baccalaureate-level course can have the TOEFL/IELTS waived.

• Our minimum score for the TOEFL is 80
• Our minimum score for the IELTS is 6.5
• Our minimum score for the PTEA is 53

Chapman does not offer conditional admission. At the bachelor degree level, there is no conditional admission offered for any of our majors. A student earns full admission if his or her application is strong enough in our applicant pool at the time of application. If a student is admitted, then the admission offer letter will include a statement that the admission offer is contingent upon the student's continued success. The Undergraduate Admission Office requires that an official copy of your final transcript be forwarded upon completion of your work.

We highly encourage international students seeking conditional admission to apply as a transfer student when they have completed 24 or more credits at a university or community college, have completed baccalaureate level English 100 or Writing 1 course, as well as, math at the statistics or calculus level (calculus is required for School of Business majors). The SAT or ACT requirement will be waived for transfer applicants who have completed 24 or more credits at the time of application. The TOEFL or IELTS will be waived for transfer students who have completed baccalaureate level English or Writing with a grade of C or better.

• For admission purposes we do not require the IB diploma.
• There is no minimum IB scores required.
• IB HL exams with scores of 5 or higher can earn university credit. Please refer to the Registrar’s Office website for further information.

• Students can apply during their O-levels. However, we would prefer to see students challenging themselves with the A-levels curriculum.
• In some cases, university credit can be awarded for A-levels. Please have all A-level exam results submitted to Chapman.

• Chapman offers competitive merit scholarships that all students who apply to the university are eligible for; however, not all students will be awarded an award.  There is no separate application process as all applicants are considered at the point of a completed and on-time application. 
  • Merit scholarships for high school applicants are awarded according to a student's grades from high/secondary school, SAT or ACT scores, TOEFL or IETLS scores and overall academic profile and curriculum in high school in comparison to our applicant pool.
  • Merit scholarships for transfer international students are based upon the incoming transfer GPA from university-level work and overall academic profile.  
• Talent-based scholarships are available for those who are applying to talent-based majors (College of Performing Arts, Dodge Film & Media and Art). These are based upon audition or department application requirements.

• Application Fee: $65  (Can be paid via credit card when submitting the application or by wire transfer)
• Deposit Fee for accepted students: $200  (This can be paid via a wire transfer or online through your WebAdvisor Account)

Account Name:
Chapman University General Operating Account
One University Drive
Attention: Financial Services Dept.
Orange, CA 92866

• International Students are eligible for jobs on campus for up to 19 hours a week. The amount earned will not be sufficient to put towards the cost of attendance at Chapman. 
  
• International students may have restrictions with working off campus depending on their visa type. On an F1 visa, after the first year, an international student can work off campus at an internship if it relates to their major.
• The International Student and Scholars Services Office is available to help with all visa and work-related questions for enrolled international students.
• For more information, visit the Student Employment Office's Website.